Author: Liz Simpson

A breezy weekend of running culminated in The Brass Monkey Half Marathon on Sunday. However, we'll start at Wynyard where 24 Striders joined Beverley Harvey as she completed her 150th parkrun. Kevin Dove, Tom Ramsey and Gail Robinson got new pb's. A 'Fleming Finish' from Sarah Winter saw her as 2nd lady home. I was 3rd finisher. Andy Laverick, Gareth Maloney, Helen Johnston, Neil Mcgee, Helen Walker and Maxine Buckton volunteered. Elsewhere, Zaheer Patankar continued his rapid improvement since joining the club with another all-course pb - and a first sub-30 time - at Albert Park. Tidy work Zaheer. Abby Barker (new pb and 70%+ age-grading) was 1st lady to finish at Darlington. The 'Kate's' continued their good form at Sedgefield. Kate Clark and Rachel Kate got new pb's. Rachel was also 3rd lady…

I've just read Helen J's volunteer perspective on Saturday's club league run at Albert Park. Keep your pecker up Helen - we're looking forward to having you back running sometime this year and thank you for volunteering. Agreed, there were 45 listed Striders on what was a chilly morning with light winds. Where to start? I've never seen so many pb's and the like. 10 Striders came away with lifetime all-course parkrun pb's. They were: Tom Murphy (70%+ age-grading), Jonathon Archer, Emily Palmer (70%+ and 1st lady to finish), Declan Mcgrath, Dara Mavi, David Green, Kate Clark, Rachel Kate, Sharon Lawson-Green (70%+) and Zaheer Patankar. Top running guys. I'm going to give a little mention to Zaheer, Rachel, Tom and Emily. I'm not familiar with Zaheer but he's done plenty of…

A very boggy cross-country event to report on this Sunday - but we'll start as ever with Saturday's parkruns. 10 Striders at Wynyard where Gareth Maloney did his 350th parkrun. Michael Kilding and James Heslop got new pb's. Elsewhere, 15 Striders went to Albert Park with Glenn Cooper and Caroline Horton achieving 70%+ age-gradings. Mathew Kirby got a new pb and Abby Barker was 3rd lady to finish. Also, a belated well done to Abby who did her 100th parkrun on new years day at Alton Water (Ipswich). The 10 Striders at Sedgefield saw Jackie Bennett celebrate her 100th parkrun and Keran Hodgson pick up a new pb. Sarah Cotton at Rising Sun, Rachel Kate at Rothay Park and Mike Cleasby at Oakwell Hall (Batley) recorded new pb's. Holly Taylor…

Hope everyone had a nice break. 3 parkrun dates to report on over the festive period. Starting with the events on 30th December: 17 Striders at Wynyard where David Mogie celebrated his 200th parkrun and Doreen Morris her 100th. Kevin Dove, James Heslop and Jackie Bennett got new pb's. Andy Laverick and Kirst Alderthay volunteered.Elsewhere, Rachel Kate recorded a new pb at Sedgefield as did Phil Baines at Cleethorpes and Declan Mcgrath at Stewart. It's not a race but well done to Tom Murphy and Helen Mcilvenny at Hartlepool. Tom led the field home and Helen was 1st  lady to finish - both achieving 70%+ age-gradings. Rapidly improving Kate Clark got another all-course pb at Aberdeen. Nice one Kate. Emily Palmer was 1st  lady to finish at Conyngham Hall (Knaresborough) and…

Strong winds and mild temperatures this weekend. Mike Cleasby breezed to a new pb at Wynyard. A special mention for Gareth Maloney who racked up 50 volunteer credits on Saturday. Thanks for all your help with organizing the event Gareth. Kirsty Alderthay (who also has an impressive 57 volunteer credits) was the other Striders volunteer on duty at Wynyard. Elsewhere, Daniele Meucci celebrated his 100th  parkrun at Sedgefield. Dan brings some much needed Italian panache to the club - and he was joined by 24 other Striders. Izzy Morgan and Helen Mcilvenny were 2nd  and 3rd  ladies to finish. 12 more Striders at Stewart where Grant Mcgrath did his 50th  parkrun. Cat Clennett and Mathew Kirby got new pb's. Phil Baines pb'd at Whitley Bay and Caroline Horton got a…

What a contrast to last Saturday. This week our runners at Wynyard experienced mild temperatures and blue skies. Tom Ramsey was celebrating his 100th parkrun and was joined by 23 other Striders. Dan Meucci, Declan Mcgrath, Andy Johnston, Tom Ramsey, Jamie Bentley and Tony Gallilee came away with new pb's. Sarah Winter was 2nd lady to finish. Oli Hall was 1st finisher with a 70%+ age-grading. Gareth Maloney, Glenn Cooper and Kirsty Alderthay volunteered. Sam Johnston was the muddiest participant whilst Dave Fender failed his fitness test and didn't run. Elsewhere, 13 Striders attended Albert Park where Sharon Lawson-Green (70%+ a-g) and Kate Clark recorded all-course pb's. Nice work ladies. Michael Meggs and Caroline Horton achieved 70%+ a-g's. Sarah Cotton pb'd and Steve Cotton was 2ndfinisher at Herrington Country. Phil…

The weather was gloomy and overcast for the 12 Striders at Wynyard on Saturday. Brightening things up were Kevin Dove, Rachel Kate and David Murphy who all recorded new pb's. Oli Hall was 2nd finisher. Kirsty Alderthay and Gareth Maloney volunteered. Elsewhere, 10 Striders attended Albert Park where speedster Jamie Bentley was in superb form. Jamie (70%+ age-grading) was 1st finisher in a very fast, all-course pb, time. Nice work Jamie. Glenn Cooper achieved a 70%+ a-g. Emma Fleming (70%+ a-g) and Izzy Morgan were 1st and 2ndladies home at Prudhoe Riverside. Michael Meggs (70%+ a-g) and Aiden Maloney (new pb) were 1st and 2nd finishers at Hartlepool. Declan Mcgrath pb'd in his 150th parkrun at Darlington. 10 more Striders at Stewart where Kate Clark got a new pb. Suzanne…

Most parkruns were called off on Saturday due to the wintry conditions. However, 10 Striders did their research and saw that Cotsford Fields had been given the go-ahead. Emma Fleming was 2nd lady to finish there. Elsewhere, Holly Taylor was 3rd lady home at Grovelands (Enfield). Striders too at Kettering, Wetherby, Marshall Drive - Brotton and University of Northampton. Back to last weeks cross-country at Summerhill, Hartlepool. Striders ladies team were pipped to 1st place by 'new kids on the block' Swadale Runners. Emily P, Emma F, Izzy H, Helen M, Liz S, Kate C, Nicola D and Sue K put in another excellent display with every runner in the top 8 of their respective age-category. Emily and Emma topping their age-categories. The result means that Swadale take a 4 point lead in…

It was cool with light winds for our runners this weekend. Jim Wright celebrated his 200th parkrun at Wynyard. Antony Hamling got a new pb. Andrew Beevers, David Mogie, Gareth Maloney, Kirsty Alderthay, Paul Grainge, Helen Walker and Victoria Slatcher volunteered. Elsewhere, Oli Hall pb'd and Izzy Morgan was first lady home at Sedgefield. Declan Mcgrath (new pb) was 2nd finisher at Cotsford Fields. Mathew Kirby pb'd and Michael Meggs got a 70%+ age-grading at Albert. Kate Clark was 2nd lady to finish at Flatts Lane and Maxine Buckton was 3rd lady home at Stewart. Steve Cotton got a 70%+ a-g at Hartlepool. Striders too at Ally Pally, Darlington, Hackworth, Forest Rec, Sandall Park (Doncaster), Rising Sun, Ancholme Valley (Brigg), Hamsterley Forest, Wollaton Hall (Nottingham), Keswick, Bideford (Devon), Pendle, Brotton, Millfield and Beverley Westwood.…